Twilight is descending on tiny Rock Creek Lake, a pond in the hills above Suches. Pink light hovers in the trees. The crickets trill. Barking frogs send up a serenade that sounds like a smoker’s cough. This mild North Georgia mountain evening should be a perfect night for fly fishing. And we’re in a good place. Rock Creek Lake, in the middle of the Chattahoochee National Forest, is warm...

For beer lovers looking for a getaway in the mountains of Georgia, there’s just one place to go: Brew Ridge. More widely known as Blue Ridge — it’s the only town in the North Georgia mountains where you can get locally crafted beer and cider. Blue Ridge is the gateway to the Appalachians for travelers coming up I-75/I-575 from Atlanta and points farther south. At one time autumn&rsquo...

Consider the lowly gourd. A member of the Cucurbits family of flowering vines that includes the cucumber and the pumpkin, the gourd is a curious anomaly in the plant world because it produces a large fruit that is inedible due to its tough rind. In the symbiotic world of flora and fauna, where most every plant and critter seem to have a purpose, one can only assume the gourd exists to provide the...

The mountains of North Georgia are a fairly easy destination for those seeking respite from the heat, traffic and general hullabaloo of Atlanta. What’s more, a weekend in these parts is pretty darn affordable. (This gal fished out all of $81 and change for a night at a decent hotel in Clayton, Ga.) For the food-focused, that means more moola to spend on meals. Initially, this...

The iconic Boeing 747 jumbo jet will fly its final commercial flight for a U.S. passenger airline with a Delta Air Lines flight Tuesday. Delta, the only remaining U.S. passenger airline to fly the 747, is retiring the plane from its fleet and taking the “Queen of the Skies” on a farewell tour with a stop in Atlanta. Atlanta-based Delta’s last commercial 747 flight will be Dec. 19...

A fight over who gets to keep Clayton County sales tax revenue from jet fuel at the world’s busiest airport started with Delta Air Lines arguing that the airport should by law get the money, and led to a clarification of a federal policy affecting airports across the nation. But Clayton has filed a federal appeal and is arguing that losing the nearly $20 million in revenue from sales taxes on...

Only Santa can take reindeer-powered flights at Christmas; everyone else taking to the skies must rely on plane travel. Whether you're flying home for the holidays or heading on a holiday getaway, Christmas airfare deals are probably high on your wish list.To find Christmas airfare deals, refer to KAYAK's 2017 Holiday Hacker Guide and take advice from travel experts. Here are the top...

Delta is adding a first checked bag fee for its lowest-priced seats on flights to Europe and North Africa, sold under the “basic economy” label. The new checked baggage fee takes effect for trans-Atlantic basic economy tickets purchased starting Dec. 6 for flights April 10, 2018 or later. The first checked bag fee for basic economy fares on trans-Atlantic flights is $60, while the...

How long will it take to get through security at the world’s busiest airport? Hartsfield-Jackson International wants to give a more precise answer to that question for the tens of millions of travelers who fly out of Atlanta every year. The airport is looking for a company to handle its security wait time reporting, a task it has long done by hand in-house. But other airports around the country...

Delta Air Lines announced Wednesday it has struck an agreement for a joint venture with Canadian carrier WestJet. The deal, if approved by the companies’ boards and regulatory authorities, would deepen a partnership between the two carriers. WestJet and Atlanta-based Delta have had a code-share marketing partnership since 2012, and have agreed to a preliminary memorandum of understanding for...

The Atlanta City Council approved a measure to require new airport concessionaires to retain workers of previous firms. Labor union UNITE HERE has pushed for worker retention ordinances in other cities, and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed’s administration worked with the union on the ordinance the city council approved Monday. The ordinance establishes an airport service contractor worker retention...

Weekend in Cambria and San Simeon, Calif., one of three ways: on a budget, spending a bit more, or when the getaway calls for a splurge. Trip tips: It’s just a 10-mile drive up California’s Coastal Highway 1 from Cambria to San Simeon. The 15-mile route farther north to Ragged Point is the last part of the open highway as construction crews work on rock and mud damage through June 1, 2018...

Hartsfield-Jackson International awarded a lucrative contract and contract extensions to a concessionaire that’s in a partnership with the wife of an airport executive. The city of Atlanta’s ethics office is conducting a preliminary investigation into the matter involving airport executive Cortez Carter, according to ethics officer Jabu Sengova. Carter was placed on paid administrative...

Airport workers and other union members gathered Tuesday at Atlanta City Hall to call attention to a company competing for a contract to build an on-site hotel, travel plaza and office development at the airport. The workers, members of labor union Unite Here, raised questions about the labor practices of Airmall USA, one of the three companies competing for the contract at Hartsfield-Jackson International...

Several companies have been selected for lucrative contracts running retail shops at the world’s busiest airport, though the city has not yet moved the deals forward for approval amid controversy surrounding the contracting process. Atlanta procurement officials earlier this year said they planned to get the contracts, which are worth tens of millions of dollars, finalized before Mayor...

Update: 12:04 p.m. EST: American Airlines has announced that a “few hundred” of the 200,000 flights in December currently do not have pilots assigned, CNBC reported. Original story: A scheduling glitch could leave American Airlines passengers stranded for one of the busiest travel times of the year. Multiple media outlets are reporting that American Airlines is blaming computer...

Even before the holiday crush of Thanksgiving travelers, wait times for sit-down restaurants on some concourses can be as long as a half-hour during peak hours at the world’s busiest airport, which handles more than 250,000 passengers a day. Fast-food and quick-service concessions at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport often have shorter waits, but lines at Starbucks and the most popular...

Sooner or later, serious music lovers are bound to make their way to the music-rich state of Tennessee. A musical journey through the Volunteer State provides an in-depth look at more than a century of history that has been captured in iconic tourist attractions that represent a range of genres, so whether you are Elvis Presley’s biggest fan or always singing along to the latest country hits...

The Great Smoky Mountains have attracted outdoorsy folks with something to prove for decades, and now there’s one more reason to make the trip. Anakeesta, Gatlinburg’s newest attraction, is a mountain adventure park that opened in September. Hop on a chondola (chair-gondola) for an exhilarating 15-minute ride to Firefly Village, a treehouse-themed village at the mountain summit. From there...

Blackberry Farm, a luxury, 4,200-acre resort at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, has such a romantic ambience, it almost feels like a movie set. Take a carriage horse ride with that special someone and snuggle under a blanket while you admire the bucolic, wintry landscape. Later, you can warm up by the fireplace at the Barn, the resort’s James Beard Award-winning restaurant. Choose...

At the Metal Museum in Memphis, metal workers are literally forging bold artistic paths. Dedicated exclusively to the art and craft of fine metalwork, it’s the only museum of its kind in the country. A wide range of metalwork, sculpture and studio jewelry are on exhibit, but for many, the highlight is watching the resident metalsmiths at work. If you want to try your hand at it, classes in blacksmithing...

When it comes to chicken, some like it hot. Prince’s Hot Chicken has been serving fried chicken with a crunchy, cayenne pepper crust for 60 years. The original location is tucked away in a back street, but those determined to get their fix always manage to find it. People from all walks of life munch fried chicken at this no-frills eatery: old timers that have been customers for decades, college...

With record traffic expected at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport over the Thanksgiving period, crowds are already filling the terminals and concourses of the world’s busiest airport. More than 299,000 passengers passed through the airport Wednesday, based on Hartsfield-Jackson forecasts. Thanksgiving Day itself will be slow at the airport, with only 181,677 passengers expected. But heavy...

Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport will give a $500,000 annual discount on rent to the developers of a hotel next to the terminal, as a concession for reducing the amount of space for the hotel by a couple of acres. The airport on Monday got Atlanta City Council approval for an amendment to its 50-year lease with Majestic Carter Atlanta Mixed Use LLC for the massive “Airport City&rdquo...

For the past two years, Delta Air Lines has spearheaded a campaign to get Washington policymakers to punish some of its fiercest fast-growing competitors from the Persian Gulf. The Atlanta-based carrier’s push has been largely fruitless so far — but that may soon change if a provision tucked into the U.S. Senate tax bill becomes law. U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., added language to his...

When Chicago O’Hare International Airport held a series of hearings on noise and other issues, more than 2,200 people showed up. At other airports from Florida to California, hundreds of angry residents show up at meetings to voice concerns about noise, and some are filing lawsuits. But at the world’s busiest airport, no public meetings were held when the FAA changed its flight paths through...

An effort to make airports more welcoming to international visitors has expanded to the world’s busiest airport. Public-private partnership Brand USA partnered with the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau and Georgia’s Department of Economic Development to install images of Atlanta and Georgia in sterile-looking U.S. Customs and Border Protection areas at Hartsfield-Jackson International...

Record crowds are expected over the busy Thanksgiving travel period at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, with the rush kicking off this Friday. About 331,000 passengers are expected to pass through the world’s busiest airport this Friday, with many local school districts allowing students the week off for Thanksgiving. Airport officials recommend passengers arrive in the terminal at...

Destroyed in 1945, Dresden, Germany, has reclaimed its title as the “Jewel Box” due to its magnificent Baroque and Rococo city center. The ongoing construction boom (15 years) continues to give a new look to the Saxony state capital while keeping elegant and historic impressions. The largest collection of Europe’s Baroque to Classicism treasures fills two halls in the New Green Vault...

In 1963, Bill Bartholomay, head of a consortium that owned the Milwaukee Braves, began petitioning Major League Baseball to move the Braves to Atlanta. But MLB wondered how welcoming Atlanta would be to a team with black ballplayers. Bartholomay sat before a committee of owners and was confronted by questions that referenced the lineaments of the Jim Crow South: separate water fountains for blacks...

Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport will rebid some of its controversial concessions contracts after finding that too many companies were disqualified, a snag expected to delay those contracts until the next mayoral administration. City officials had hoped to move forward on the lucrative contracts before Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed’s term ends, while candidates running to be the...

Every month, you can catch bluegrass jam sessions dubbed Music on the Mountain at the Table Rock Lodge at Table Rock State Park. The park sits near its namesake mountain, sprawling beautifully over 3,000 acres of heavily wooded terrain. These are casual, acoustic performances by locals, but rest assured, you can hear some exceptional music here. And if you’re a musician yourself, pack your...

Motor Supply Company Bistro in Columbia dishes up several offerings that feature the long-grain heirloom rice known as Carolina Gold. Fish camp fried catfish and pork belly are both served over Carolina Gold rice grits. But whatever you pick from the menu will be a winner. 920 Gervais St., Columbia, 803-256-6687, www.motorsupplycobistro.com, @motorsupply A good way to get an introduction...

A nice meal in Charleston, wine, intimate conversation, chocolate dessert, flowers — all will set the stage. Then, arrange a private horse and carriage for afterward. The stately clop-clop, the historic ambiance, the city all lit up … romance guaranteed! Palmetto Carriage is the oldest carriage company in Charleston and offers evening private carriage tours, tours to dinner and,...

Greenville Zoo is home to big cats like African lions and leopards; orangutans and various kinds of monkeys; gangly giraffes, giant anteaters, red pandas and other animals sure to delight children and adults alike. Want to check it all out ahead of time? Take Greenville Zoo’s online zoo tour at gis.greenvillesc.gov/zootour. You and the kids can seek out more Greenville animals with the...

The Palmetto State has plenty to offer visitors seeking sports and recreation. From the Upstate’s mountains, to the lakes and rivers of the Midlands and the beaches and waterways of the Lowcountry, there’s plenty to do. There are at least a half-dozen minor league sports teams in the state, which also happens to be covered with golf courses. You’ll find South Carolina is full of...

Several big concessionaires have been selected to open new restaurants on Concourse E at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. The contract awards are subject to Atlanta City Council approval, but the city’s interim chief procurement officer sent notification letters to concessionaires about the companies that will be recommended for the contracts. The Concourse E restaurant contracts are...

Richard Branson turned travel on its ear. Now he’s planning on doing the same with the cruise line industry. The founder and chairman of Virgin Group has started construction of Virgin Voyages, Condé Nast Traveler reported. The keel of the first ship of the line was laid Tuesday, with Branson making a show of the milestone, dropping 200 feet from a crane to the shipyard. Tom...

Fall in Atlanta is a glorious time for enjoying the outdoors — going on hikes, roasting marshmallows and maybe even sleeping under the stars. But while many seek quick weekend getaways, not everyone is up for sleeping in a tent. For those wanting to unplug and reconnect with nature without having to rough it (at all), “glamping” — or glamorous camping — may be just right...

Two air traffic controllers at a Federal Aviation Administration facility in Henry County are sharing the story of how they helped guide a flight in trouble to a safe landing at a small airport in Alabama. American Airlines flight 5559 took off from New Orleans bound for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on June 21 but encountered trouble. The Bombardier CRJ-700 flight was operated by American...

The 12-acre Toy Story Land expansion in Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World is set to open in Summer of 2018, and today the Resort announced that Woody's Lunch Box would be a quick-service dining location in the new area. Toy Story Land will 'shrink' guests to the size of a toy so they can step into the whimsical and beloved world of Pixar Animation Studios' blockbuster franchise set in...

Upscale hotels coming to the area around Hartsfield-Jackson International are sparking hopes of turning the long-struggling airport district into a destination. On Nov. 1, a Solis hotel opens next to the Porsche North America headquarters by the airport, bringing a new international name to an area that has been slow to spur development for years. The luxury hotel will have 214 rooms...

The domestic terminal at the world’s busiest airport isn’t exactly a looker from the outside. Most travelers probably are too focused on making their flights or trying to remember if they brought the travel-size toothpaste to care about street aesthetics outside Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta We-Can’t-Even-Remember-What-It Looks-Like-From-The-Outside International Airport. Hartsfield...

Weekend in Greenville, S.C., one of three ways: on a budget, spending a bit more, or when the getaway calls for a splurge. Trip tips: Recent travel buzz is all about pedestrian-friendly Greenville for its farm-to-table scene and as the up-and-coming food lover’s town. Conde Nast’s Traveler magazine readers chose the city as the No. 3 Small City Destination in the country (following Charleston...

Delta Air Lines is hiring more than 1,000 flight attendants. The average entry-level flight attendant at Delta earns about $25,000 a year, “with an opportunity to earn more depending upon schedule,” according to the airline. Atlanta-based Delta said applicants must have a high school degree or GED, be at least 21 years old, be able to work in the United States and be fluent in...

Roughly a month after Hurricane Irma whipped its ferocious winds across the Florida Keys, a pearl-like strand of subtropical islands with an ecosystem unique in North America, much of the once pristine landscape remains littered with the wreckage the storm left behind. Tourism, normally a $1.6 billion-a-year industry that employs about half the Keys’ workforce, took a battering of its own, with...

Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport has selected a firm to develop a recycling and composting facility on airport grounds, moving forward on a project that has taken years to advance. The Atlanta airport has chosen Green Energy and Development Inc. to develop the facility it calls Green Acres on 30 acres of property on the south side of the airport in Clayton County. Green Energy and Development...

The second annual Pat Conroy Literary Festival begins this weekend in Beaufort, S.C., and the event has grown in time and scope. “We’ve expanded the footprint,” said Jonathan Haupt, founding director of the festival. This year events at the gathering will spread over four days, and it will spotlight not only the regional writers who Conroy championed but also “the theme...

In the middle of a “Buy American” trade dispute over jets Delta Air Lines is buying from a Canadian manufacturer, Delta CEO Ed Bastian says the airline will not pay any of the massive tariffs proposed by the Trump administration. And, he now expects Delta will take delivery of the jets from a final assembly facility in Mobile, Ala., thanks to a blockbuster deal announced this week...

Delta Air Lines’ new flagship aircraft will be its extra wide-body Airbus A350 jet, said chief operating officer Gil West. The airline will begin flying the jet Oct. 30 on its Detroit-Tokyo Narita route and also will use it to fly from Detroit to Seoul and to Beijing starting in November and in January. PHOTOS: Take a look inside the Delta Airbus A350 From Atlanta, Delta plans to fly...

Designers working on plans for canopies over the curbside areas at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport weighed several designs before settling on the plan for massive, steel-framed translucent arched canopies that will light up at night. The world’s busiest airport more than two years ago asked a team led by architectural firm HOK to figure out how to build canopies over the curbside...

BERLIN - In Europe, simply getting to the airport is often more expensive than the flight itself. Many flights here can be astonishingly cheap, and not only for those who spend hours searching the Internet for the best deals. On a recent day in September, travelers could book $17 flights from London to Berlin on 14 different days in October - or even the next morning. On the same day, the roughly...

Move over Pluto, and maybe Goofy, there will be some new dogs in town at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Officials with Disney Parks announced Friday that people staying at four of its hotels on the property can now bring their dogs with them to the hotel, instead of putting them at either a kennel on the property or making other arrangements for their four-footed friends. >> Read more...

Denise Kiernan’s “The Last Castle” is a diligent chronicle of George Vanderbilt’s Biltmore House, where Gilded Age wealth commingled with the visions of America’s high bohemia in the western hills of North Carolina. In the 1880s, Asheville, N.C., was a resort town that had a reputation for its so-called “breathing porches.” Indeed, George had first come from...

The Transportation Security Administration’s new head David Pekoske said he is advocating for future investments in canine units and technology to handle passengers coming through airports. The administration’s proposed budget released earlier this year included cuts in funding for local police in airports, dedicated behavioral detection officers and teams that patrol airports and...

It has been years of consumers asking, but now it will become a reality. Southwest Airlines is expanding its service to Hawaii. >> Read more trending news The company made the announcement Wednesday in a reply to a tweet from 2008. The company has not said what routes it will fly, but will start selling trips to the islands next year, USA Today reported. Southwest is also apparently...

Delta Air Lines said flight cancellations due to Hurricane Irma are putting pressure on its costs, but after a busy summer travel season revenues are improving. "While we faced a number of challenges this quarter, including multiple hurricanes and an earthquake in Mexico, I am proud of how Delta people responded and still delivered an outstanding performance this quarter," said Delta...

Big cities are gaining while smaller towns are losing when it comes to airline service, according to an industry report by Airlines Council International. Some smaller airports are shrinking in passenger traffic as large airports grow even larger, ACI said its World Airport Traffic Report shows. The airport “mega-hubs” of the world grew 5.5 percent year-over-year in 2016, according...

Weekend in Vero Beach, Fla., one of three ways: on a budget, spending a bit more, or when the getaway calls for a splurge. Trip Tips: Vero Beach on Florida’s Treasure Coast is a small and remote town made for visitors seeking a relaxing weekend or for water sport enthusiasts. The public South Beach Park has restroom facilities, free parking, an on-duty lifeguard and a wooden walkway from the...

If you’re hoping to get a free upgrade to first class on your next flight, don’t get your hopes up. Delta Air Lines is moving away from giving frequent fliers the big seats in the front gratis, and instead wants customers to pay for them. It’s a point driven home by Delta CEO Ed Bastian at a recent travel industry conference. “Any business where you give the majority of your...

Seven firms threw their hats in the ring Wednesday to compete for two restaurant spots on Concourse B at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. One of the restaurant locations is nearly 3,000 square feet for a nationally branded restaurant, while the other is about 1,500 square feet for a “chef driven” concept or other restaurant and bar. Both are on one of the busiest concourses at...

Five people have pleaded guilty in a case involving an alleged credit card theft ring at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. John Horn, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, announced the last of the five guilty pleas Wednesday. The five people were indicted earlier this year for allegedly running a theft ring that stole credit cards from mail loaded onto planes at the Atlanta...

An extremely active hurricane season in September has disrupted travel for many metro Atlantans planning relaxing beach getaways to the Caribbean. Today, instead of kicking back on pristine beaches with fancy drinks, many travelers are trying to salvage vacations by booking new locations or rescheduling their trips. Places like the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, St. Maarten (the Dutch side of St...

North Carolina covers a lot of territory from its long coastline to its soaring Appalachian peaks and the wide Piedmont area in between. Here are some ideas for a family getaway in each section of the state, some destinations well-known, others less so but worth discovering. The Blue Ridge Parkway is such a rare thing in our modern, ultra-connected world. This two-lane blacktop cuts across a high-altitude...

The first truss of steel will soon be lifted into the air to begin building massive curbside canopies at Hartsfield-Jackson International — and that means traffic congestion for travelers trying to navigate around the world’s busiest airport. This Sunday, trusses will be moved from a staging area to the terminal curbside roads to start the heavy lifting of the project. Each truss...

A small Appalachian mountain town containing three craft breweries within walking distance might be considered a rare thing, but this is North Carolina. Sylva’s Innovation Brewing (414 W. Main St., 828-586-9678, www.innovation-brewing.com) puts out an astounding number of beers for such a small establishment. At any given time, there are over 30 beers on tap. Also in town, Sneak E Squirrel...

For a mix of modernity and history in a vibrant downtown setting, Winston-Salem has a lot to offer. Stroll through the streets and gardens of Old Salem (Visitor Center: 336-721-7300, www.oldsalem.org) to revel in the history of a place that was settled in 1766 by the Moravians. Many of the original structures are still standing and open for tours. Bed down at Historic Brookstown Inn (rates start...

What started as a small festival in 1988 to honor musician Merle Watson, who died tragically in a farming accident in 1985, has turned into one of the largest roots-based music festivals in the country. The fest was founded by Merle’s father, bluegrass legend Doc Watson. The elder Watson passed away in 2012, but the festival lives on in a big way. Each year, it draws upward of 80,000 people...

Located in a former drugstore that retains its old-fashioned soda fountain counter, this eclectic eatery serves a dynamic fusion of Caribbean and Mexican fare in a laid-back atmosphere on Main Street in the mountain town of Sylva. Menu includes tapas, full plates, and brunch on the weekends. Tapas start at $3, full plates at $13.95. 606 W. Main St., Sylva. 828-586-9877, www.guadalupecafe.com...

Sixteen companies are competing for contracts to open new shops at Hartsfield-Jackson International in a massive revamp of retail outlets at the world’s busiest airport. City officials aim to choose winners and finalize contracts before the end of the year — and before Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed’s term ends in January. The companies are competing for more than 80 retail spots...

A woman was removed from a Southwest Airlines flight Tuesday night after telling flight attendants she was allergic to the dogs that were on the plane. Southwest says there were two dogs on the plane, an emotional support dog and a pet. The woman told flight staff that she had a life-threatening pet allergy. When the woman was asked to provide a medical certificate, she could not and per Southwest...

The days of being out of contact during a flight are coming to an end. Delta Air Lines said it will offer free in-flight mobile messaging via iMessage, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp starting Sunday. On Delta’s planes equipped with in-flight Wi-Fi, passengers will be able to exchange real-time messages with those on the ground via Delta’s Wi-Fi portal web page, according to the airline...

Delta Air Lines is ordering 75 narrow-body Bombardier CS-100 jets as it replaces older and smaller aircraft in its fleet. Atlanta-based Delta would start flying the planes in spring 2018. The planes will have seat-back in-flight entertainment, Wi-Fi and a two-by-three cabin configuration in the main cabin and a two-by-two configuration in first class. The Bombardier CS-100 is designed for about 108...

A deal for the sale of Bombardier jets to Delta Air Lines is under scrutiny over subsidies, and now the U.S. Commerce Department is proposing tariffs. Aircraft manufacturer Boeing Co. had raised concerns about the deal between the Canadian aircraft manufacturer and the Atlanta-based airline, and requested an investigation. Siding with Boeing, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced a preliminary...

As Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport airport steps up construction of massive canopies outside the terminal, more vehicle traffic will be squeezed into less space at the world’s busiest airport. Starting Sunday, the airport will begin “substantial canopy construction” on the Terminal North roads, which will disrupt traffic every night from around 9 or 10...

Fall is here and the leaves are already starting to turn, so where are the best places to go to see nature’s color palate? The Blue Ridge Parkway stretches 469 miles through two states, all the way from the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. There are exhibits, hiking trails, picnic areas and campsites for those who want to reconnect...

Savannah Spirits amber rum. Courtesy of Savannah Spirits Group A rum distillery in the heart of historic Savannah is set to open next spring. Savannah Spirits Group announced last week it will be opening a 12,000-square-foot distillery in the city’s historic district. Production is anticipated to begin in March 2018. Initially, the company will produce silver and amber rum.
...

My brother Tyler and I have driven over 400 miles to Vermont to stand in line for beer. Despite our best efforts we are now standing numbers 18 and 19 in the queue of people shivering outside the Alchemist Brewery in Stowe on a cold November morning. Behind us we can see at least 40 more people, including a few we’d met touring breweries in Burlington the day before. In front of us is a bearded...

As President Donald Trump’s administration prepares to soon announce a new set of travel restrictions on visitors to the United States to replace the existing travel ban, local officials are looking out for any potential impact on travelers arriving at the Atlanta airport. At the world’s busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson International officials are monitoring the situation, which could...

Founded in 1649, Annapolis, Maryland’s capital city on the Chesapeake Bay, is a living history lesson. Visit the historic cemetery at the Romanesque-style St. Anne’s Episcopal Church and step inside to see Tiffany glass windows. Maryland Avenue is long-treasured as one of downtown’s best spots for shopping, dining, and experiencing the culture. Attend the world’s largest in-water...

Most of us probably don’t know what any of those codes mean on your boarding pass, but there’s one that you won’t want to see when you’re flying. It’s a simple series of repeated letters, SSSS, and it means that you’ll be subject to additional screenings. >> Read more trending news The SSSS is an acronym for Secondary Security Screening Selection. You...

In an effort to push customers to pay more for premium seats, Delta Air Lines has started selling fares for its “Comfort+” seats instead of only offering them as an upgrade. The change, effective for flights departing after May 15, 2016, means those shopping for domestic flights on Delta’s website will often see four levels of seats to book, each with different fares: Basic economy...

Riding on a wagon tour of the dwarf apple trees in Mercier Orchards, we were struck by two things: One: you’re really in the mountains up here. Everything is either straight up or straight down. Two: You’ve never seen so much tasty growing directly out of the ground.

Zac Brown / AJC file photo The nearly year-old Stillhouse Creek Distillery in Dahlonega has rebranded to Z. Brown Distillery in what they are calling
a “strategic alliance” with the
Grammy award-winning Zac Brown of the Zac Brown Band
. The distillery, located in Brown’s hometown, is slated to re-open sometime this...

Every year, Georgia’s leaves turn dramatic shades of yellow, burnt orange, deep magenta, even crimson. It’s that time of year. “When will the leaves change?” is the question park rangers hear most often once cooler temperatures arrive. Typically, Georgia’s mountain parks peak in hues in late October; however, color can be seen as early as September and throughout much...

Delta Air Lines is cancelling flights that had been scheduled for Wednesday in St. Thomas as it prepares for Hurricane Irma to pass through the Caribbean. Atlanta-based Delta said it will also delay its evening flights in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and is planning to assess facilities after the storm passes. The airline said its team of meteorologists expect the storm to begin curving north...

Delta Air Lines is debuting a new credit card with American Express targeted at young travelers and casual travelers. The new credit card launching Thursday, the Blue Delta SkyMiles card, will have no annual fee and double miles for spending at U.S. restaurants and flights booked with Delta. The Blue card will not offer a free checked bag or priority boarding like other SkyMiles credit cards do, nor...

Detroit is on the rise. The city is renovating hundreds of long-vacant structures, and new developments are filling the downtown areas, Midtown and east of downtown. There’s a vigor and spirit vibe in town with the continued arrival of young residents and professionals. It’s the first time since the 1950s that the city has seen a population growth. Follow a local guide on the two-hour...

A New Jersey man has found out that it can be expensive to behave badly while flying. James August threatened his girlfriend, her children, passengers and crew members during a nonstop flight from Honolulu to New York. He even hit a flight attendant on her shoulder with the back of his hand, The Star Advertiser reported. And while he was sentenced to three years probation in June, this week the...

The world’s busiest airport will soon begin construction of pedestrian bridges to the domestic terminal that are expected to ease traffic congestion and allow travelers to cross over the busy roadway from the parking garages. Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport plans to build two spans at Terminal South and two at Terminal North. The airport expects to complete construction of the Terminal...

It seems unruly and intoxicated airline passengers are a growing problem in the skies. Statistics released at a conference in Geneva last week by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) show a 50 percent increase between 2015 and 2016 of the number of passengers who were forcibly confined for bad behavior. The incidents in question include verbal and physical abuse, as...